Jason Tchir - Page 6 - The Globe and Mail

Jason Tchir

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Area of Expertise

Automotive

Jason is a columnist and car critic for the Globe and Mail's Drive section. He focuses on green mobility, road safety and trends in transportation. Previously, he wrote for the CBC and The Toronto Sun.

Latest articles

October 27, 2024

Portland is one the most bike friendly cities in America.
Bike lane art. Portland has a web of neighborhood greenways to support bike riding and Portland as a sustainable destination.

CREDIT
Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland

Portland is one the most bike friendly cities in America.
Bike lane art. Portland has a web of neighborhood greenways to support bike riding and Portland as a sustainable destination.

CREDIT
Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland

Can I drop off passengers next to a bike lane?

4 min read

October 20, 2024

“Kids can come to us being very nervous and barely knowing how to pedal and then, by the end of the week, they’ve got their training wheels off and they’ve learned to ride,” says Claudia Sjoberg, president of Pedalheads, a company that offers bike-riding lessons.

“Kids can come to us being very nervous and barely knowing how to pedal and then, by the end of the week, they’ve got their training wheels off and they’ve learned to ride,” says Claudia Sjoberg, president of Pedalheads, a company that offers bike-riding lessons.

Could a child get a ticket for biking on the wrong side of the road?

4 min read

October 13, 2024

Shot of a young driver talking to a traffic policeman

Shot of a young driver talking to a traffic policeman

How much over the speed limit can I go before getting a ticket?

4 min read

October 11, 2024

The hydrogen-powered 2022 Toyota Mirai on sale at Lévis Toyota in Quebec.

The hydrogen-powered 2022 Toyota Mirai on sale at Lévis Toyota in Quebec.

Short-sighted stumble or smart strategy? Toyota’s hybrid bet paying off in Canada

6 min read

October 6, 2024

An electric vehicle charger is seen plugged into an electric vehicle in an Ottawa, Ont. parking garage on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

An electric vehicle charger is seen plugged into an electric vehicle in an Ottawa, Ont. parking garage on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

How do tailpipe emissions compare between PHEVs and gas-powered cars?

5 min read

September 29, 2024

A cyclist rides down a bike lane normally occupied by traffic on Danforth Avenue between Woodbine and Woodmount Avenues during an 8 80 Cities pop-up street makeover in Toronto, Ont. on Friday, August 23, 2019. 8 80 Streets Danforth is a project temporarily transforming this section of Danforth Ave to demonstrate the Vision Zero principles of safer street design that prioritizes vulnerable road users. (J.P. Moczulski/The Globe and Mail)

A cyclist rides down a bike lane normally occupied by traffic on Danforth Avenue between Woodbine and Woodmount Avenues during an 8 80 Cities pop-up street makeover in Toronto, Ont. on Friday, August 23, 2019. 8 80 Streets Danforth is a project temporarily transforming this section of Danforth Ave to demonstrate the Vision Zero principles of safer street design that prioritizes vulnerable road users. (J.P. Moczulski/The Globe and Mail)

Drivers are licensed, so why aren’t cyclists?

5 min read

September 23, 2024

The EX90 has dual 370-kilowatt electric motors.

The EX90 has dual 370-kilowatt electric motors.

Volvo’s EX90 won’t convert the masses to EVs, but it shows the luxury brand’s ambitions

7 min read

September 22, 2024

A digital sign with the message "Do Not Travel" sits on the median as motorists travel on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay, B.C., Friday, April 23, 2021. Mounties in British Columbia say no cars were forced to turn around at a road block in place to ensure residents abide by travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19, as enforcement spreads over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A digital sign with the message "Do Not Travel" sits on the median as motorists travel on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay, B.C., Friday, April 23, 2021. Mounties in British Columbia say no cars were forced to turn around at a road block in place to ensure residents abide by travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19, as enforcement spreads over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Isn’t the left lane in B.C. only for passing?

3 min read

September 15, 2024

Red and blue lights of police car in night time, crime scene. Night patrolling the city. Abstract blurry image.

Red and blue lights of police car in night time, crime scene. Night patrolling the city. Abstract blurry image.

Could I get pulled over if a passenger puts their feet on the dash?

4 min read

September 8, 2024

A speed limit sign in Canada, sign states the maximum speed is 50 km/hr is that area.

A speed limit sign in Canada, sign states the maximum speed is 50 km/hr is that area.

Why don’t speed limits match the speed roads were designed to handle?

4 min read

September 1, 2024

The City of Toronto increased fines for more than 100 parking offences on Thursday, which it says is an effort to reduce congestion and support safer roads. Cyclists ride on the designated Bloor Street bike lanes in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The City of Toronto increased fines for more than 100 parking offences on Thursday, which it says is an effort to reduce congestion and support safer roads. Cyclists ride on the designated Bloor Street bike lanes in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

When I go to make a right turn, cyclists pass me on the right. Is that legal?

5 min read

August 25, 2024

Part of Highway 401 in Toronto during the day showing the blur of traffic on the road
Driving Concerns

Part of Highway 401 in Toronto during the day showing the blur of traffic on the road
Driving Concerns

I keep getting passed on the right. Is that legal?

4 min read

August 18, 2024

A man rides a Ninebot One electric unicycle near the venue of a Segway-Ninebot product launch event in Beijing, China August 16, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo

A man rides a Ninebot One electric unicycle near the venue of a Segway-Ninebot product launch event in Beijing, China August 16, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo

Electric unicycles are everywhere, but aren’t they illegal to ride?

5 min read

August 11, 2024

Cyclist athletes riding a race at high speed

Cyclist athletes riding a race at high speed

Are groups of cyclists allowed to take up the whole lane?

4 min read

August 4, 2024

Auto accident involving two cars on a city street

Auto accident involving two cars on a city street

The driver who hit me claims it never happened. Am I on the hook for the damage?

4 min read

July 28, 2024

The Rocky Mountains emerge out of the prairie landscape as you approach from the east along the Trans Canada highway. April 19, 2013.

The Rocky Mountains emerge out of the prairie landscape as you approach from the east along the Trans Canada highway. April 19, 2013.

We’re driving across Canada. Are there any strange rules we need to watch out for?

5 min read

July 21, 2024

Volkswagen vehicles for sale are seen at a dealership in Ottawa, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. German auto giant VW has secured an exclusive contract with Canada that could be worth more than $13 billion over the next 10 years to build an electric-vehicle battery plant in southwestern Ontario.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Volkswagen vehicles for sale are seen at a dealership in Ottawa, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. German auto giant VW has secured an exclusive contract with Canada that could be worth more than $13 billion over the next 10 years to build an electric-vehicle battery plant in southwestern Ontario.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

How do I get an accident that didn’t happen off my car’s Carfax report?

4 min read

July 14, 2024

Car on asphalt road on summer day at park. Automobile on highway

Car on asphalt road on summer day at park. Automobile on highway

I have unpaid speeding tickets in another province. Can I get pulled over if I drive there?

4 min read

July 7, 2024

Young drivers could save 25 per cent on their auto insurance with the CAA Head Start Discount.

Young drivers could save 25 per cent on their auto insurance with the CAA Head Start Discount.

My grandson is 15 and drives in Saskatchewan. Can he drive when visiting us in Ontario?

4 min read

June 30, 2024

A cyclist rides into downtown towards a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar and bus on Thursday June 6, 2024. TTC workers will be in a position to strike at midnight on June 6. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

A cyclist rides into downtown towards a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar and bus on Thursday June 6, 2024. TTC workers will be in a position to strike at midnight on June 6. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Are bikes or e-bikes ever allowed to be ridden on the sidewalk?

4 min read